Your thoughts must have traveled so far. Nobody, not even you can fail to notice Sweden’s very fascinating cultural layer, offering an abundance of art galleries, museums, and theatres.
However, casino gambling (both online and physical) has also made an undeniable mark in Swedish culture as it has bewitched both residents and tourists alike.
There is one funny thing you need to know. It is that while there are numerous online casinos, the physical (or land-based) casinos in Sweden are limited to just one location across the country: Stockholm.
Initially, there were four locations — aside from Stockholm, there were casinos in Malmö, Sundsvall, and Gothenburg. In 2020, however, the Sundsvall casino was closed, while the Malmö and Gothenburg casinos were closed in February 2024.
To be honest, this revelation (the fact that there’s only one available casino in Sweden) sounds inconvenient, doesn’t it?
Nonetheless, if you really think about it, you may find that, in a way, it adds some sort of exclusivity to the Swedish physical gambling experience.
Another interesting fact about Swedish casinos? They’re state-owned and operated by Casino Cosmopol, a company that manages all Swedish casinos and ensures a safer gaming environment.
Don’t worry; we’ll discuss all of these in detail throughout this blog post. But first, let’s go into the exploration part.
Located in central Stockholm, this casino doesn’t merely buzz with energy and entertainment. It also serves as a historical landmark.
Its location was once home to the Palladium, the largest cinema in both Stockholm and Sweden, which operated from the early to late 20th century. This cinema was known for premiering numerous hits from Svensk Filmindustri (a Swedish film and TV production and distribution company).
What’s more, the building is just a stone’s throw away from the Oscarsteatern (Oscar Theater). This building has been a vibrant hub for upbeat musical performances of big Swedish artists since 1906.
Adding to the enchantment of the casino’s location is its proximity to the Kungsbron, a double bridge with a history dating back to the end of the 19th century.
A little fun fact for the history nerds: Before they were closed, the casinos in Sundsvall, Gothenburg, and Malmö were also steeped in history, as they were located in and nearby historically noteworthy buildings.
The Stockholm casino has several classic games, including Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat, and poker. It also offers tons of fun-packed slot machines.
That’s not all, though, because this casino offers more than just gaming. You can also indulge your taste buds by enjoying a yummy meal at its restaurant. Better still, its bars provide a chill environment for your kind of players to unwind and socialize.
It doesn’t really matter whether you’re an expert gambler or merely looking for a night of fun and adventure because Casino Cosmopol Stockholm has something to offer everyone!
Something you should note, though: You must be at least 20 years old to enter. Furthermore, you must show an ID, regardless of your age. Sorry — their rules, not ours.
Alright, let’s zero in on why these three casinos in Sweden met their untimely demise. TL;DR? The main reasons were:
The first to close was the casino in Sundsvall. Opened in 2001 as Sweden’s first international casino, it once served as a light tower of entertainment and adventurous gaming.
Unfortunately, over the years, the magnetism of this venue weakened. Owing to the rising popularity of online gambling platforms and the subsequent decline in its customer base, the casino became unprofitable.
Therefore, the tough decision to close Sundsvall’s casino was primarily driven by losses in revenue and patronage.
The story doesn’t end here, however, as the closures did not stop at Sundsvall. By early 2024, Svenska Spel (the parent company of Casino Cosmopol) announced the impending shutdown of its Gothenburg and Malmö venues as well. They were eventually closed in February.
Similar to Sundsvall, these casinos suffered from dwindling visitor numbers, again, because of the growth of online gambling and profitability challenges. As more players migrated to digital platforms for gaming, these physical venues struggled to compete.
The Swedish public began to lose interest in traditional casino experiences. Eventually, the end product, as of today, was the closing of 75% of Sweden’s physical casinos.
Recall that Gambling Act I mentioned earlier? Fist bump for keeping it in mind! This Act, which became effective on January 1, 2019, brought some changes to the way licensed casinos in Sweden operate.
When I say “changes”, I’m really talking about “restrictions”. But yeah, tomayto-tomahto, haha.
This Act was introduced with the noble aim of curbing problem gambling and addiction. It placed stringent regulations on casinos with a Swedish license, including mandatory measures to encourage responsible gaming.
Interestingly, these restrictions inadvertently nudged a large portion of the gambling community towards casinos without a Swedish license — in other words, many online casinos.
I know it might seem as if these “unlicensed” online casinos are operating outside the law, but that’s not the case. They’re actually licensed by other countries, including the UK, Malta, and Curaçao. This means they offer a less restrictive, more convenient, and potentially more profitable gambling experience. They’re not just licensed by the Swedish authorities.
There’s no doubt about it — Sweden’s last-standing physical casino will offer you an unforgettable experience. This venue wonderfully combines gaming, entertainment, and fine dining with a slice of Swedish history.
Even with the rise of online gambling, I am sure you’d agree that nothing beats the unique charm of the physical casino experience. You know that feeling of handling a Burj Khalifa of chips and interacting with other players one-on-one? It simply can’t be replicated online.
Thus, if you’re one of those people who still prefer the tangible aspect of casino gambling, you’ll have a blast at Casino Cosmopol Stockholm.
